He said he couldn't recall much of what happened while hospitalized, adding that he needed to reconstruct that time through conversations with family, friends and advisers.

The 27-year-old player said he now has a new approach to life.

"I look at things differently," he said. "I try not to put myself in horrible situations anymore. I have a lot of people depending on me -- even people I didn't know depended on me.

"I could dwell on it, like ... I wish I had that finger, but when I look in the mirror, I'm happy. Thank the Lord -- it could have been worse."

The Giants gave Pierre-Paul the franchise tag in March, then re-signed him for one year. He recently had more surgery on the mangled hand, which he termed a success. He said he hopes to play next season without a club wrap on it.